January 2019 Minutes
A meeting of East Keal Parish Council was held on Wednesday 30th January 2019 at 7pm in Cracroft Village Hall, Boston Road, West Keal.
Welcome. Cllr Smith welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Public Forum.
a. Community Café. Thanks were expressed to the Parish Council for their support in advertising this event. This is now taking place monthly in Church. Refreshments are available and the opportunity for exchanging and sharing tips and advice. There are also reference books to use, a book sale, magazine swop, information about local walks and games to play! All are welcome.
1. Apologies for Absence These were received from Cllr Kemp. All resolved to accept the reason given. Present. Cllr Smith, Cllr Dromey, Cllr Davies, Cllr Bush, Cllr Thornley, Cllr Litchfield and Clerk to the Council Mrs E Martin. Also present was Cllr Aron & Cllr Swanson and 2 members of the public.
2. Notes of the Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 28th November 2018. It was resolved that the notes be accepted as minutes of the meeting, all agreed and the minutes were then signed.
i. Precept. Acknowledgement has been received from ELDC for the precept request.
3. a County Cllr Report. i. Highway Matters. Cllr Aron confirmed with the Council that we have the following outstanding items for LCC’s attention. They are the hedge at Pen y Bryn, A16 speeding, the pothole on Switchback/A16, the road dressing down Fen Lane from the crossroads southwards. He informed the meeting that the problems on Hall Corner have been upgraded to regular jetting rather than reactive. It was asked if there was any possibility of having a continuous double white line through the village. Cllr Aron offered to make enquiries.
b District Cllr Report. Items of local interests are:-
i. Transit site for travellers. The site at Burgh has now been purchased by ELDC who will manage it.
ii. Community Charge. There will be an increase in the community charge by ELDC for 2019/20. This will possibly be in the region of a band D property increase of £4.90. There is the opportunity for residents to comment on the ELDC website, before 12.2.19.
iii. Teenage Market. Louth are holding a teenage market (for 10-29 year olds) to encourage young entrepreneurs.
iv. ELDC have obtained £50,000 Government funding towards a rockery garden at Skegness.
v. Green Waste. Residents are reminded that you need to sign up for this collection.
c. Neighbour Watch (Alert). Recently there has only been a few petty thefts reported locally.
d. Village Hall Committee. Progress has been made towards repainting the village hall, both outside and inside. A specification has been drawn up and decorating contractors contacted. One is viewing this Saturday 2nd Feb. Possible Grants are being looked for. Future dates for the fun Quiz Nights are:- Feb 15th, March 15th, April 12th, May 17th, June 14th and then the 2nd Friday of each month. A country walk with tea & cakes during July is being considered.
e. Village Groups
i. PCC. Forthcoming events planned are a quiz on 23.2.19 and a Chine supper on 18.5.19. All welcome. It is proposed to hold a Jumble Sale but no date is yet confirmed. An event is being planned for Mothering Sunday on 31st March 2019 – further details to follow.
ii. WI The Keals WI, the book club and craft group continue to meet on a monthly basis. Members enjoy the various activities which are on offer, locally and from other WI groups. Membership is stable and our last meeting of 2018 was the traditional lunchtime Festive fare. Members were entertained with singing, reciting poems, recalling special childhood Xmas memories etc. 20385 Members continue to knit Twiddlemitts and mats which are donated to Paediatric Wards at the local hospitals. These collections are additional to the regular monthly donations by members to the Spilsby Food Larder. New members are always welcome to come and see what they are about. The next meeting on Thursday 14 February in the Village Hall will be local photographer, Pete Skipworth, who will be talking about the Lincolnshire Wolds. Our website also contains detailed information at info@the keals .org
iii. Gardening Club. During the last year the gardening club has liaised with other local gardening clubs by attending each others events and visits. Talks have included one on fern propagation, maintenance of garden equipment, chocolate (+sampling), a barbeque, a Quiz and fish & chip supper. Trips to Barnsdale and Stourton Estate were also very successful. The club also took part in the Scarecrow weekend which was a great success.
iv. Workforce. Work is continuing around the village and a litter pick is organised for this week. The planters in the village are due to be replanted shortly and all signs are to be washed. Thanks were expressed to all members of this team who work so tirelessly keeping the village looking beautiful.
v. Newsletter. It was reported that there have been a few delays with finalising this document but it is now at the printers. Copies should be delivered at the start of next week and spare copies will be in the shop. It is hoped that resident enjoy reading it as it will contain lots of information and contact telephone numbers. Contributions from residents will be welcome for future editions. 4 Declaration of Interest. None given.
5. Community Speed Watch update. The signs have been received and placed in approved locations on the A16. These are of a temporary nature and will be moved on a regular basis.
6. Viking Link. The appeal was unsuccessful and the original route has been accepted. They are now in the process of applying for compulsory purchase of land concerned.
7. Extra Grin bin for village. This has now been delivered and is situated near the Church.
8. Extra Grit for self help group. We are still awaiting delivery of this. Highways have been reminded.
9. Update on overgrown Hedge. LCC are now dealing with this.
10. Everyday First Aid Course. This is organised for 15th March at 2pm in Cracroft Village Hall. Please book you place with the Clerk on 752083 as places are limited. There are 18 people booked on this course so far.
11. Freedom of Information Policy Document. After discussion it was agreed that no amendments were necessary to this document and it was duly signed.
12. a. Payment of £17.50 to Cracroft Village Hall for 1 meeting 30.1.19. b. Payment of £48.50 to ELDC for one election. It was resolved to accept these payments a and b. All agreed. c. Financial Report and Bank Reconciliation as at 30.1.19. It was resolved to accept these documents. All agreed.
13. Welcome Booklet. No new residents were identified.
14. Report from Clerk’s Annual Appraisal. This took place in January. Cllr Smith thanked Cllr Dromey and Cllr Davies for undertaking this.
15. Report from Community Engagement Meeting. Although Cllrs attended the LCC person did not turn up. It transpires that their role is to help communities develop. This can be by supporting the organisation of events or finding funding, if available. It is hoped to have an Open Day event where local groups can attend to find out more.
16. Loneliness and Vunerability Flyers. These flyers are no longer available free of charge. The Council agreed that they should be printed by the Clerk and delivered by Cllrs.
17. Meet the Councillors event. It was agreed to hold such an event where residents could meet the new Cllrs and enjoy light refreshments. The date of 29.6.19 was agreed and it will be held at Cllr Smith’s home. 20386
18. Correspondence.
i. LALC Cllrs agreed that we would join this scheme for 2019/20. They are proposing to place a charge for non-attendance on full day courses if not cancelled a week before the event.
19. Any other matters for discussion only or next Agenda.
i. Fly tipping. Items have been dumped on the switchback and reported on Fix My Street.
ii. Annual Parish Meeting. After discussion it was agreed that a member of the Fire and Rescue Service be invited to give an illustrated talk at this event. The Clerk to book.
20. Date of next Meeting 27th March 2019 at 7pm at Cracroft Village Hall.